Framed wire screen or grille and method of its manufacture



Dec. 22, 1931. l.. B. GREEN FRAMED WIRE SCREEN OR GRILLE AND METHOD OF ITS M ANUFACTURE Filed Feb. 28. 1951.

Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT ,ol-FICE N LEE 2B. GREEN, 0F LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GLOBE MACHINE @c STAMPING i COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OHIO FRAMED WIRE SCREEN OR GRILLE AND METHOD F ITS MANU FACTURE Application led February 28, 1931. Serial No. 519,190. y

My invention relates to the class of grilles, wire screens or the like in which a `foramlnous member (such as a sheet of wire screening) is bordered by a metal binding, and to 5 the manufacture of such frame-bordered screens or the like.

In one of its general aspects, my4 lnvention aims to provide a screen (or grille) frame assembly in which the screen is r1gidly gripped by thel frame without requiring l when the framed screen is in use.

In another important aspect, my invention aims to provide a metal screen and frame assembly in whichthe frame has such extensive areas of contact with the screen that this assembly can readily be electroplated as a unit and by a single plating operation for adequately coating all normally visible portions of the screen.

In the further important aspect, my invention aims to provide a metal screen and frame Vassembly having the frame formed from a rolled `up strip of sheet metal, which strip has its initial free edges concealed when the screen is mounted in the frame; and 1n which these strip edge portions are sufficiently shielded during the electroplating of the framed screen, so that the layer of metal deposited on the frame during this plating operation will taper in thickness toward each of these strip edges.

Instill another object, my invention aims to provide a simple, expeditious and rela,- tively inexpensive method for manufacturing a metal screen and frame assembly having the above recited characteristics of a firm securing of the frame to the screen withy out the employing of auxiliary fastening means, of concealing both the indented frame portions and the less heavily plated frame portions, of shielding the original longitudinal edges of the frame-forming metal strip against contact with other objects, and of having an adequate plating upon all normally visible portions of vthe screen and frame assembly.

Furthermore, my invention aims to provide a metal binding strip adapted to be deformed in cross-section and partially indented when secured to a screen accordlng to my method of manufacture, and adapted to retain its deformed shape.

Still further and also more detailed objects Will appear from the following speciiication and from the accompanying drawings, in which drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a metal screen and frame assembly embodying my vinvention, with dotted lines showing the positions of the parts lof the frame when this frame is being mounted on the screen.

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of a'right-hand 4 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken par-- -allel to the general plane of the screen along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 3.

F ig..7 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but taken before the frame is clamped upon the screen, showing the initial cross-sectional shape of the frame and also showing portions of two rollers disposed for compressing the frame to the deformed shape of Fig. 3 to secure the frame to the screen.

Figs. 8 and 9 are sections similar to Fig. 3, but showing modified cross-sectional shapes of the frame.

Fig. 10 is anenlarged and fragmentary transverse section through the frame, taken along the line 10- 10 of Fig. 2 and showing the plating on the inner frame webs between consecutive screen wires which extend transversely of the screen.

Figure 11 is an end view of a channel strip suitable for framing a screen according to 10 my invention, showing another cross-sectional shape.

l In manufacturing metal-framed window screens as designed for excluding insects, it

' has heretofore been customary to frame the needed sheet of wire screening'with a channelsectioned binding of a simple U-shaped cross-section. For such a purpose, a quite thin metal binding suflices as a means for concealing the rough edges of the screen, since these frames are not subjected to any great strains when in normal use. So also, any solder or rivets used for securing the binding to the sheet of screen material can amplybe concealed by a coat of paint.

However, a similar use of a simple U-sectioned metalbinding as a frame fora screen would lead to many and serious objections when both the screen and its frame must withstand such greater strainsA that the screen has to be composed of wire of much larger diameter, as for example from onesixteenth to one-eighth of an inch; when a much greater spacing between the adjacent parallel wires'is desired than in Hy screens, as for example a half inch; and when the frame must be quite rigid to withstand strains tending to twist or bend it out of its general plane.

Unless rivets, solde'r or other auxiliary fastening means are'also employed under the just recited conditions, the-two webs of such a simple U-sectioned frame would not remain closely adjacent to the opposite faces of the screen unless the'frame were made of such a .thin and easily bendable grade of metal as would not afford the needed rigidity for the frame.`

When both the screen member and the frame of such an assemblage are' also to be plated instead of painted, and are to present a uniformly handsome appearance, the diliculties are increased still more. This is partly because the plating will not readily hold on solder, and often ,will peel oli' the edges of rivet heads; but more sobecause of two other diiiculties which have been en countered inl electroplating metal framed wire screens, and particularly in chromium plating such metal framed screens.

When such a wire screen, framed bya simple U-shaped binding, is suspended in a plating tank, the frame is usually connected to one terminal of the source of current at only a' few points, and portions of this current must reach the wires of the screen through the frame. Owing to the crossing of the wires, this ca-n readily be accomplished to an ample extent for the major exposed portion of the screen, even if the end .portions of some ofthe wires do not contact with the frame at all or contact over areas which would not permit an ample amount of plating current flow through the end portions of these wires.

For example, if the right-hand ,end portion of the horizontal wire Ain Fig. 2 did plating of the part of the wire A to the left l of the wire B may be supplied through other horizontal wires (such as C or'D) if these have their end portions in adequate contacting relation to the frame. Consequently, the wire A would be properly plated to the left o'f the vertical wire B, but the portion of the wire A between the yvertical strand B and the frame would remain unplated, thereby marring the appearance of the framed screen at the very outset and still more so when the unplated wire portions corrode.

Moreover,.any plated coating is apt to peel olf at sharp edges of any metal object, and all the more so when 'these edges are exposed where other objects may engage them either in transiter in use; consequently, when a screen framed with a simple U-shaped binding has been plated, the edges of the binding strip are apt vto strip or peel unless these v To overcome, the above recited difficulties,

I employ a generally channel-sectioned binding which has inwardly recurved auxiliary webs 3 and 4 extending into its channel formation, these webs beinggrespectively continuations of the main channel webs l and 2. For -this purpose, I may start with a binding consisting of a rolled up metal strip having a cross-section of which a typical shape is shown in Fig. 7, this bindinor being'initially formed so that the inward vebs 3 and 4 are spread farther apart than the general thickness of the screen, and so that' the outer or main webs 1 and Qdiverge from the back 10 of the said channel formation.

This binding strip, having a uniform cross-section as in Fig. 7 is initially manufactured in straight lengths from a grade of metal of suitable rigidity, such as a suitable grade and thickness of steel or brass, and is cut to lengths corresponding to the contour of the proposed frame. Each such length of the binding is then bent around a flat form having the same general shape as the prolposedo frame, the form being suiciently smaller in dimensions to compensatefor the thickness of the metal in the binding strip. This forming is preferably'done in both directions from the middle of the strip. as for example from the point 11 in Fig. '1.

When the forming is completed, the resili shown inAdotted lines in Fig. 1. This spreading, which Ccan momentarily be increased manually, permits the slipping into the frame of a sheet of the screen of somewhat larger contour than that of the proposed inward edge of the frame, so that the screen will have all of its edge portions extending between the two inner or auxiliary webs 3 and 4 and desirably beyond the free edges of these webs, as shown in Fig. 7 The two side portions of 4the frame-like bindin are thensprung towards each other so t at the tips of its free end portions 2 (which free end portions form the halves of the proposed bottom member of the frame) abut against each other as in Fig. 1, and these tips are welded to each other.

Then the frame, with the screen loosely housed b it, is passed lengthwise of the said binding etween two rollers 5 and 6 which l have their axes extending transversely of the binding, and these rollers are pressed toward each other (vertically in Fig. 7 so as to lex the outer or main webs 1 and 2 of the binding toward each other, thereby reducingthe spacing between the auxiliary inner webs 3 and 4 so as to press these inner webs against the interposed opposite face portions of the screen. For this binding-compressing operation, the rollers are so spaced that the spacing of the opposed faces of the said inner webs 3 and 4 when passing between the rollers is less than the effective thickness of the screen, or less than twice the diameter of each constituent strand A of the screen when the strands of the screen are all ofthe same size of wire, thereby indenting portions of the screen into these webs.

To make this indenting effective and to allow yfor the extent to which the webs may be sprung back toward their initial positions by the resiliency of the metal from which the binding stripwas formed, I preferably start with the main channel webs 1 and 2 divergng toward the mouth of the channel as shown in Fig. 7, and with each inner or auxiliary webs 3 and 4 diverging from the adjacent main web inwardly of the channel, so that these inner webs initially converge toward the back l() of the channel. pressing action of the rollers, the back 10 of the channel is iexed, so as to dispose the main Iwebs 1 and 2 in parallel planes, and thereafter the channel back 10 is flexed still further so as to decrease the spacing between the said main webs. K

By providing a suitable angle of divergence 8 between the main webs in the binding .strip as initially manufactured, and also a suitable angle of divergence 9 between each inner web and the adjacent outer web, and by suitably adjusting the spacing of the compressing rollers, I can readily secure the desired channel-compressing and sectionchanging action for any given thickness and grade of metal, and can adequately allow for During the comthe (usually small) return flexing of thev'arious parts of. the binding by the resiliency of the metal. f

Moreover, by using van adequate amount of compressing I readily cause each of the inner webs 3 and 4 to be indented by every strand extending between these webs, as shown for example by indented portions 11, 12 and 13 in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. Moreover, I can effect this indenting to such an extent that every one of the screen wires which extend transversely of the frame finto the frame will have large contact areas of 'engagement with the inner webs 3 and 4, thereby insuring such a lowof current through every one of these transverse wires as to effect an adequate plating of the exposed portions of all wires of the screen.

It will be obvious that such a rigid anchoring could not be effected by compressing the two webs of a binding of a simple U-'shaped section against the peripheral portionsof the screen, when the bindingy is formed from a thickness',` and grade of metal which would give rigidity to the frame. With a mere U- sectioned binding the two webs would spring away from the screen as soon as the compressing is relaxed, thereby not only leaving the screen somewhat loose in the frame but also making it impossible to secure an adequate plating of the exposed portions of the screen adjacent to the frame.

With the binding section here disclosed and with my method of procedure, the tendency of the main webs vto spring apart is offset by the tendency of the inner webs to flex toward each other, and particularly so when thewidth of the inner webs is not less than about hali:l the width of the frame border. Moreover, with a binding of a simple U-section, any indentations in the webs of the binding would show on the outer faces of these webs, whereas, with `my novel section and/procedure, these indentations are concealed from viewv and the entire exposed exterior of the frame is unmarred by any deformations. n

When my above described screen and frame assembly is being electroplated in the usual screen, will taper in thickness on the said inner webs toward the free edges of these webs, after the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 10, in both of which figures the thickness .of the plating has been exaggerated.

In practice, the plating usually tapers to such a minute thickness at these longitudinal web edges that the plating will not strip or pell off the webs, even when the original longitudinal edges of the strip were not rounded, so that I entirely overcome the peeling of plating from the edges of a metal binding strip, which peeling vcould not readily be avoided with a binding of simple U-section. Moreover, the parts of the inner websv adjacent to their free edges are concealed from View, so that any lack of uniformity of the plating on these web parts could not mar the attractive appearance of my screen and frame assembly.

However, while I have heretofore olescribed my inventlon 1n connection with a screen frame presenting substantially parallel front and rear faces, and with ,a screen formed of round wires, (and in connection with the use of rollers during the assembling) I do not wish to be limited to these or other details of my heretofore recited disclosure, since many changes could obviously be made Without departing either from the spirit of my invention or from the appended claims.

For example, it is not essential that the main webs of the binding (or outer shanks of the outer channel formation) have considerable portions of their Widths flat and parallel to each other, as in Fig. 3, or that the cross-section of the binding be symmetri- I cal about the medial longitudinal plane of the channel. Thus, Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through an edge portion of a framed screen embodying my invention, in which the forward main web 1 is wider than the rear main web 14, and in which the auxiliary or inner web 15 adjacent to the said narrower main web 14 is narrower than the companion inner web 3.

Fig. 9'shoWs an embodiment in which the generally channel-sectioned frame or binding has only one inwardly recurved web, namely a web 3 adjacent'to the frontal main web 1, and in which interposed portionsof the screen wires A and E are indented into this inner web 3 and into the rear main web 16. This be avoided (or at least deterred) by round` ing this free edge as here illustrated.

So also, the relative proportions of the.

various parts of the binding or frame may be varied considerably, as for. example theA proport'on between over-all width and thickness of the binding when attached to the screen. However, I preferably have each inner web extend into the widest part of the channel formed by the outer parts of the binding, so as to enhance the rigidity of the resulting assembly. Nor do I wish to be limited t o the use of bindings in which the main webs present fiat face portions, since these main webs (or'shanks of the outer U-shaped channel) may be of curved cross-sections, as shown for example in Fig. 11.

Furthermore, I do not wish to be limited as to the uses of my screen and frame assembly, although I have found the same particularly adapted for grilles or screens which are to be supported in front of automobileradiators.

I claim as my invention: l

1. In a .screen or the like, a foraminous member, and a fra-me bordering the said member and having a channel-sectioned main part freely straddling the peripheral portion of the said member, the frame also including a web into which parts of the peripheral portion of the foraminous member are indented, the said web being disposed so that the said channel-sectioned main part of the frame conceals the indented parts of the said web.

2. In a screen or thelike, a foraminous member, and a frame bordering the said member and having a channel-sectioned main part freely straddling the peripheral portion of the said member, the frame also including a web integral with a wall ofthe channel and extending into the channel-toward the back of the latter into which web parts of the peripheral portion of the foraminous `member are indented, the said web being disposed so that the said channel-sectioned main part of the frame conceals the indented parts of the said web.

3. A binding for a screen or the like, comprising a strip of metal formed to a crosssection presenting an outer channel-sectioned main portion and two inner Webs respectively connected to the free ends of the webs of the channel-sectioned main portion, the inner webs extending within the 'widest part of the channel-sectioned main portion and each thereof being suliiciently spaced from the adjacent first named webs to permit the inner webs to be clamped against an interposed screen portion without having either inner .web contact with the adjacent outer web.

4;. A binding for attachment to a `screen consisting of metal strip formed so as to comprise an outer channel-shaped main portion, the shanks of which diverge from the back of the channel, and tw'o webs extending inwardlyof the channel respectively from the mouth ends of the said channel shanks and each freely spaced from both of the' said Shanks, the two webs converging toward the back ofthe channel and having the minimum spacing between themat least as great as` the thickness of the peripheral portion of the screen.

5. A binding for attachment to a screen,

as per claim'4, in which each web is of such a width that its free edge is nearer to the back of the channel than to the Juncture of that web with the adjacent shank of the outer screen; 'the bin ing comprising in integral4 formation a channel-sectioned main portion freely straddling the edge portion of the screen; and two webs respectively forming extensions of the Shanks of the said main portion and both extending into the channel and respectively engaging the opposite faces of the edge portion of the screen; the said screen edge portion having consecutively spaced parts thereof indented into both webs.

8. The combination with a screen, of a binding housing the edge portion of the screen; the binding comprising in integral' formation a channel-sectioned main portion freely straddling the edge portion of the screen; and two Webs respectively forming extensions of the' shanks of the said main portion and both extending into the channel and respectively engaging the opposite faces of the edge portion of the screen; the said screen and-binding having a metallic plating extending over both faces of the screen, over the extending face portions of the binding and over the opposed face portions of the two webs the said screen edge portion having parts thereof indented into parts of the two webs, the plating on the webs tapering in thickness from the last named parts of the web toward the back of the said channel.

9. A metallically framed screen comprising a screen, a generally channel shaped binding'straddling the edge portion of' the screen and having parts of the binding clamped against opposite faces of the said edge portion of the screen; and a metallic plating extending over all portions of the screen, and over the exterior of the binding and the said clamping parts of the binding; the plating on the webs tapering in thickness from the interengaged portions of the webs with the said clamping parts of the binding toward the back of the channel.

10. A metallically framed screen comprising a screen, a generally channel shaped binding straddling the edge portion of the screen and having parts of the. binding clamped against opposite faces of the said edge portion of the screen; and a metallic plating extending over all portions of the screen, and over the exterior of the binding and the said clamping parts of the binding; the plating on both the webs and the screen tapering in thickness from the interengaged portions of the webs with the said clamping parts toward the back of the channel.

11. A binding for attachment to an edge portion of a screen or the like, comprising a strip bent upon itself to a uniform cross-section presenting a U- shaped main portion and two webs extending within the said main portion toward the back of the U-formation, each web being freely spaced from the adjacent shank of the said U-shaped main portion the minimum spacing of the two webs from each other being greater than the thickness of the screen, the shanks of the U-shaped main portion diverging from the back thereof; the strip being formed of a metal of such characteristics as to permit the said webs to be pressed respectively against the opposite face portions of an interposed screen with suflicient pressure to indent parts of the screen into each web, by a forcible approaching of the Shanks of the said main portion; the metal of the strip also being of such characteristics that the said main portion will retain' its thus produced changed cross-section to retain parts of the screen in the indentations of the said webs.

12. The method of binding a screen, which l channel Shanks diverging away from the back of the channel and also presenting webs recurved into the said channel and converging toward each other inwardly of the channel; bending the said rolled strip around the edge of the screen to dispose the edge portion of the screen between the said webs, and thereafter forcing the main channel shanks toward each other with suiiicient pressure to indent parts of the screen edge portion into the said webs.

13. The method of binding a screen, which consists in rolling a metal strip to a generally channel-shaped cross-section presenting main channel shanks diverging away from the back of the channel and also presenting webs recurved into the said channel and converging toward each other inwardly of the channel; bending the said rolled strip around the edge of the screen to dispose the edge portion of the screen between the said webs, and thereafter forcing the main channel Shanks toward each other with sufficient pressure for permanently reducing the said convergence of the channel shanks and for causing the said webs to clamp the edge portion of the screen between them.

14. The method of binding a screen, which consists in rolling a metal strip to a generally channel-,shaped cross-section presentingmain channel Shanks diverging away from the back of the channel and also presentin webs recurved into the said channel an converging toward each other inwardly of the channel; bending the said rolled strip around' the edge of the screen to dispose the edge ortion of the screen between the said webs, an thereafter forcing the main channel Shanks toward each other with suicient pressure to indent parts of the screen edge portion into the said Webs, and subseuently plating the resulting cllen and bin ing assembly in a plating Sligned at Cleveland, Ohio, February 25,

' LEE B. GREEN. 

